MalCare vs Wordfence:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Wordfence had more branded searches than MalCare among firewall brands in New Zealand. Wordfence had about 150 branded searches, while MalCare had 40. Wordfence made up 34.1% of all firewall brand searches we track, and MalCare accounted for 9.1%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about firewall brands, Wordfence appeared in three of the five answers and MalCare in none.
Who do people search for more?
Wordfence, about 4 searches for every 1 for MalCare
Who does AI mention more?
Wordfence, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, MalCare in 0
Who does AI recommend more?
Wordfence, the only one of the two named
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Top firewall brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Wordfence was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. MalCare did not appear in any of the five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
See every answer about firewall brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which website firewall should I use in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best website firewall tools in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best website firewall in New Zealand for website security?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“web application firewall”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“website security tools”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
Is MalCare or Wordfence more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for MalCare and Wordfence by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all four firewall brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Wordfence, MalCare. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Wordfence | Sucuri | AWS WAF | MalCare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 32.6% | 32.6% | 25.6% | 9.3% |
| Nov 2025 | 33.3% | 33.3% | 24.4% | 8.9% |
| Dec 2025 | 29.7% | 48.6% | 18.9% | 2.7% |
| Jan 2026 | 38.9% | 38.9% | 19.4% | 2.8% |
| Feb 2026 | 37.8% | 35.1% | 24.3% | 2.7% |
| Mar 2026 | 39.5% | 34.9% | 20.9% | 4.7% |
| Apr 2026 | 35.9% | 35.9% | 23.1% | 5.1% |
| May 2026 | 27.5% | 51% | 17.6% | 3.9% |
| Jun 2026 | 22.8% | 52.6% | 19.3% | 5.3% |
| Jul 2026 | 29.5% | 43.2% | 20.5% | 6.8% |
| Aug 2026 | 35.4% | 41.7% | 18.8% | 4.2% |
| Sep 2026 | 34.1% | 31.8% | 25% | 9.1% |
How has the MalCare and Wordfence comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Wordfence was ahead of MalCare in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, MalCare’s share of searches among firewall brands in New Zealand moved from 9.3% to 9.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 40.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Wordfence’s share of searches among firewall brands in New Zealand moved from 32.6% to 34.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 140 to 150.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand firewall brands in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, MalCare gained share of searches among firewall brands in New Zealand, from 4.2% to 9.1%.
In September 2026, Wordfence lost share of searches among firewall brands in New Zealand, from 35.4% to 34.1%.
How are branded searches counted?
24 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using MalCare’s and Wordfence’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
MalCare
4 branded search terms
- malcare
- malcare plugin
- malcare scan
- malcare security
Wordfence
20 branded search terms
- 2fa wordfence
- plugin wordfence
- word fence
- wordfence
- wordfence 2fa
- wordfence assistant
- wordfence assistant plugin
- wordfence care
- wordfence central
- wordfence elementor
- wordfence features
- wordfence firewall
- wordfence multiple sites
- wordfence plugin
- wordfence pro
- wordfence response
- wordfence waf
- wordfence woocommerce
- wordfence wp
- wordfence wp plugin
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